As a market that has long utilized satellite and manned airborne platforms for data acquisition, the geospatial profession is finding unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or unmanned aerial system (UAS) technology has the potential to revolutionize data collection and lower operating costs. In an effort to continue to educate members and to fully embrace the conference theme “Ground to Cloud (R)Evolution – Emerging Technologies Supporting Geospatial Applications”, MAPPS and ASPRS today announced a UAV showcase is being added to its Joint Conference, October 29 through November 1 in Tampa, Florida to highlight and explore the emerging technology.

Manufacturers of UAV/UAS platforms, sensors and packages are encouraged to participate in the showcase to display the technology to a market eager to utilize the new systems. The showcase will allow geospatial practitioners and data collectors who will become the first to apply the technology with an opportunity to engage with the developers. 

UAV/UAS manufactures are encouraged to sign-up for the showcase by contacting Kelley Kennedy-Lapping at [email protected]. 

In addition to the showcase, on Thursday, November 1 a special session will focus on UAV/UAS’s and the geospatial market. Mike Tully, Aerial Services, Inc. (Cedar Falls, IA), will review the results of an extensive market survey of commercial unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in the U.S., focusing on systems in the “under 55 lbs.” class. In addition, George Southard, Trimble Navigation Limited (Westminster, CO) will discuss what Trimble’s recent acquisition of Gatewing NV and the introduction of UAV/UAS means to the geospatial, mapping, agriculture and surveying markets. The session will also review the legal and operational hurdles that must be overcome for commercial unmanned systems to function in U.S. airspace. 

Early registration for the conference ends September 28, 2012. To view the preliminary program and to register visit the conference website, www.asprs.org/Conferences/Tampa-2012. 

This significant conference is the seventh in a series that originated in 1994 as the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) and the Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (MAPPS) began jointly hosting education conferences on emerging mapping and geospatial technologies and applications that have now become an integral part of our everyday lives. The conference seeks to bring geospatial producers, data users, managers, and imaging and geospatial information professionals together to present the latest developments.

Sponsorships and exhibits for the conference are available and information on how to become part of the conference may be found on the conference web site, http://www.asprs.org/Conferences/Tampa-2012/Exhibition/blog .

About MAPPS

Formed in 1982, MAPPS is the only national association exclusively comprised of private firms in the remote sensing, spatial data and geographic information systems field in the United States. The MAPPS membership spans the entire spectrum of the geospatial community, including Member Firms engaged in satellite and airborne remote sensing, surveying, photogrammetry, aerial photography, LIDAR, hydrography, bathymetry, charting, aerial and satellite image processing, GPS, and GIS data collection and conversion services. MAPPS also includes Associate Member Firms, which are companies that provide hardware, software, products and services to the geospatial profession in the United States and other firms from around the world. Independent Consultant Members are sole proprietors engaged in consulting in or to the geospatial profession, or provides a consulting service of interest to the geospatial profession.

MAPPS provides its 160+ member firms opportunities for networking and developing business-to-business relationships, information sharing, education, public policy advocacy, market growth, and professional development and image enhancement.

About ASPRS

Founded in 1934, ASPRS is an international professional organization of 6,000 geospatial data professionals. ASPRS is devoted to advancing knowledge and improving understanding of the mapping sciences to promote responsible application of photogrammetry, remote sensing, geographic information systems and supporting technologies.